Album Notes

A powerfully honest vocal delivery and dedication to solid songwriting are only part of The Dollar Canon's charm. Another is a propensity for dynamic and emotional variety among and within songs. Their sound is perfect for anyone fond of melody, honesty, and thoughtfully constructed music.

The group formed in 1998 while attending the University at Buffalo. They have shared the stage with the likes of Rainer Maria, Aloha, Juno, Piebald, Owen, The Ivory Coast, Atom and his Package, DMS, and Ours.

The year 2000 marked a change in direction for The Dollar Canon as guitarists Jason Mazzariello and Terry Conrad were enlisted and Armstrong took to playing the Farfisa organ and drums simultaneously. The new lineup sonically elevated the band, enabling more fully orchestrated arrangements.

The Dollar Canon entered the studio in the summer of 2000 to record their first full-length record. The group headed to Boston, M.A. and thesmallchurch studio (Karate, Piebald) to record under the supervision of engineer Bob Logan (of Vic Firecracker).

With equal parts post-punk power and art school finesse, the band produced "Are You Here?" -- an outstanding recording of sonically powerful and intellectually stimulating rock and roll. After a slew of glowing reviews, "Are You Here?" hit college radio in the spring of 2001. The Dollar Canon followed their radio success with a string of blistering live shows.

As Autumn of 2001 rolled around, and the band entered pre-production on the follow up to "Are You Here?," and Armstrong took the slow down in The Dollar Canon's touring schedule to sign on with Dan Matz's (of Windsor for the Derby) The Birdwatcher (Arena Rock Recording Co), including stateside shows and a European tour. And although the band spent it in the studio, the end of 2001 brought more recognition for the Dollar Canon when CMJ core station WBNY awarded them the top spot on their year end countdown, as the band also placed in the distinction of most underrated band.

In 2002 the band released the "Future Apartments EP." The EP showcases Mazzariello's layered guitar arrangements and the band's growing interest in utilizing electronic production techniques to augment their existing musical chemistry.